History

In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10: The California Children and Families First Act which resulted in the addition of a 50-cent surtax on cigarettes and tobacco products. The monies generated are intended to improve early childhood development from the prenatal period to age five.

Recognizing that much of each baby's development is completed before birth, in 2001 perinatal stakeholders in Los Angeles County came together to discuss the need to coordinate efforts between experts, regions and disciplines to address the needs of pregnant women, fathers, and families in Los Angeles County, in order to optimize each baby's potential. Through these discussions the Los Angeles Children and Families Proposition 10 Commission (now First 5 LA) designated $15 million for a Healthy Births Initiative, to improve birth outcomes in Los Angeles County. The goals outlined for the Healthy Births Initiative were to reduce the number of low birthweight and very low birthweight babies and to reduce disease and disability among newborns. By furthering these goals the Initiative would improve every child's chance for lifelong good health, growth, development, and learning.

LA Best Babies Network was formed from this network of perinatal stakeholders and was ultimately selected by First 5 LA to provide guidance and technical assistance in the development of the Healthy Births Initiative. That planning phase provided time for the Collaborative to work with the community to gather information about pregnancy and birth outcomes in Los Angeles County and to respond with strategies to promote health and well being among its diverse population.

During its two-year planning phase, LA Best Babies Network:

• identified new trends in healthcare services for pregnant women, children and families;

• provided forums within which community-based organizations and healthcare professionals could forge unique partnerships to improve birth outcomes in LA County;

• provided support and technical assistance on various topics including participatory action research, community-based needs assessment, grant writing, program evaluation, media, policy and advocacy trainings, and health topics;

• provided summaries of evidence-based practices and emerging research findings targeting the prevention of low birthweight and preterm birth;

• informed the First 5 LA Commission of community identified needs, gaps in services, and proven and promising approaches to improve poor birth outcomes in LA County; and

• developed a nurturing collaborative environment where all members can learn from each other.

On July 8, 2004 the First 5 LA Commission approved the framework for the implementation of the Healthy Births Initiative as recommended by LA Best Babies Network.